Press Releases & Updates 2001
28th March 2001
POLL BACKS BIG BLOCKADERS
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The Trident Ploughshares campaign has welcomed the result of a System 3
opinion poll commissioned by Scottish CND which showed that 51% of those
questioned in Scotland supported the action taken by people who took part
in a blockade of Faslane last month.
385 people, including George Galloway MP, Tommy Sheridan MSP and seventeen
religious ministers and priests were arrested at the Big Blockade of
Faslane on 12th February. Around 1000 people from 11 countries took part in
the event and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland was present to give
his support. Only 24% of those questioned in the poll were opposed to the
action. The question was part of a poll of 977 adults on nuclear weapon
issues conducted between 22 February and 4 March by NFO System Three on
behalf of Scottish CND.
The result of the poll has an added significance as the judgment of the
High Court on the Lord Advocate’s Reference relating to the trial and
acquittal of the "Trident Three" will be given in the Court this Friday
30th March at 10 am. The hearing of the Reference took place last year when
the historic debate centred largely on the issue of the legality or
otherwise of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapon system and on the rights of
ordinary citizens to intervene to uphold international law. The Lord
Advocate made his Reference at the beginning of 2000 following the
acquittal by Sheriff Margaret Gimblett in Greenock Sheriff Court of three
women activists, Angie Zelter, Ulla Roder and Ellen Moxley, who in June
1999 damaged a Trident-related research barge in Loch Long.
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: "There is significant support in
Scotland not only for those who demonstrate against Trident but also for
those willing to risk arrest by blockading Faslane. We have been aware of
this but the confirmation which the poll brings is very encouraging. How
can Strathclyde Police continue with any confidence to arrest peaceful
anti-Trident activists? How can the courts continue to pretend that people
who act to uphold international law can be dealt with as criminals?
A vigil will be held outside the High Court from 5pm on Thursday (29th
March) until the judgment is delivered.
On Saturday 7th April at 11 am campaigners will gather at the North gate of Faslane naval base to respond to the High Court judgment and to carry out direct disarmament action.
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Trident Ploughshares,
0845 45 88 366
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